Spotlight Feature Articles Joy Global Drilling & Loading Apr17 | Page 2

DRILLING AND LOADING
Cat 988K wheel loader with remotely located
operator using Command for Loading
Beyond
conventional
Paul Moore looks at some new models, additions of
innovations and technology, and mine applications
for surface blasthole drills and loading tools
W
hile basic blasthole drilling methods
and techniques remain unchanged,
automation is really moving forward
from isolated trials to full production use; while
control systems on non-automated models are
more advanced, and there is a focus on
increasing drilling power and efficiency but at
the same time reducing maintenance
requirements. For excavators and loading tools,
elements of automation and more operator
assistance are being introduced, while engines
are being updated to bring ranges into line with
Tier 4 Final regulations.
Sandvik upgrades DPi range
Sandvik has engineered productivity upgrades
for its well-known DPi series of surface top
hammer drill rigs. The latest release of the
Pantera DPi series drill rigs has a redesigned
operating system combined with other
substantial upgrades and a completely new rock
drill.
The Pantera DPi series drill rigs include a
redesigned control system with an updated user
interface and touch screen. Featuring the latest
Sandvik user interface style, support for new
drill rig options and enhanced troubleshooting
functions, the new control system enables
easier and even more accurate drilling.
To optimise drilling performance, the Pantera
DP1500i is now available with a high frequency
RD1635CF rock drill with Circulating Shank
Lubrication (CSL) system that guarantees fast
and efficient penetration. In CSL, oil is circulated
through filters and reused, rather than just
collected. “The new CSL system reduces shank
lubrication oil consumption by up to 70%
compared to the old system, and significantly
increases coupling sleeve life,” says Jarno
Viitaniemi, Product Manager, Surface Boom
Drills, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology.
International Mining | APRIL 2017
“The drill rig has really been redesigned with
economy in mind. It has also been enhanced
with a new compressor control system that
provides even better fuel efficiency.”
Further Pantera DPi improvements include
modifications to the exterior design, which
improves accessibility, thereby enabling easier
maintenance. In addition, the drill rig comes
with the latest high-tech options, such as
Driller’s Notes. The latter is a completely new
feature that allows the operator to add hole
information, such as voids and cavities, to hole
quality reports during drilling.
The Pantera DPi surface top hammer drill rigs
are intelligent, self-propelled, crawler-based
surface drill rigs designed to be used in
quarrying, production drilling and wall control
and development works. The Pantera DPi drill
Sandvik recently announced the release of a
trailer-mounted tele-remote station for
operation of a Sandvik DR461i rotary blasthole
drill
rig family consists of two models: the Pantera
DP1100i for hole sizes of 89 to 140 mm and
Pantera DP1500i for hole sizes of 102 to 152 mm.
Both are available with low fuel-consumption
and low-emission Tier 3 and Tier 4 Final engines.
Sandvik says it also continues to move
forward with its advanced automation offerings.
The latest addition to the automation family is
Sandvik AutoMine Surface Drilling for rotary drill
rigs, with the release of a trailer-mounted tele-
remote station for operation of a Sandvik DR461i
rotary blast hole drill.
The Sandvik AutoMine Surface Drilling
technology enables mines to operate equipment
from a remote operations centre, or from the
Sandvik AutoMine tele-remote command trailer.
The remote station can be installed in a van, at a
fixed control centre, or on a portable self-
powered trailer. The system can communicate
via line of sight, direct to the drill, or via the
mine communication network. The command
centre can accommodate up to three drills per
station. One operator can start one hole, initiate
the next drill to start another hole and then a
third – ensuring that all units keep drilling with
minimal delay, thereby optimising mine productivity.
The easy-to-use GPS-based 3D navigation
system provides hole accuracy within 5 cm, both
for hole location and drilling depth, giving
improved bench quality. The actual drilling data
is immediately available in the command centre,
to be utilised in downstream processes.
“Field testing revealed improved drilling
performance and a better working environment
for the operator,” says Tab Siegrist, Product Line
Manager, Surface Drills, Sandvik Mining and
Rock Technology. “Night-time operation, using
remote cameras and an LED lighting package,
also helps to keep productivity high. Getting the
operator away from the cab can also be
beneficial from a safety perspective, due to
unknown underground voids, highwall condition
or other geotechnical concerns. Our tele-remote
fleet option also provides increased efficiency,
with one operator able to run up to three drills
simultaneously, also reducing drilling variation
and making the downstream process more
efficient.”
The introduction of Sandvik AutoMine Surface
Drilling utilises the improved autonomous
capabilities for the Sandvik DR461i drill rig,
required for efficient tele-remote fleet
utilisation. “This includes the latest versions of
‘autodrill’ and auto level: providing more
consistent control of drilling parameters will
improve drilling results, with less premature
wear on the drill feed and rotation systems.
Improved uptime thanks to fewer breakdowns